Sudwerk calls this "Doppel Bock Ulimator" now. Really a great example of the Doppelbock style, a less than common appearance in California. From the 12 oz bottle purchased at Bottlecraft - Little Italy.

Dark, dark color-- not exactly brown-- with a deep ruby tone in the Crooked Line tulip plus an exuberant foam. Plenty sweet but also a lighter, sudsier body than might be expected for such a malt bomb. Flavors are seriously roasted grain.

Hints of walnut and figs with a bitterish finish. The sudsy mouthfeel is in keeping with the German style. Sweet aftertaste is appealing as well.

Surprisingly good American attempt at a German style that isn't filled with assinine "innovations" such as adding weird ingredients and such. Pours a nice black color in ordinary light, but is clearly a dark brown when held up to lighting. Good, tight creamy head of lace with small bubbles that remains for a long time. Nose is on the lighter side, but still gives a pleasant and appetizing bready quality. Good balance of malts, sweetness, and overall drinkability here. Nicely flavorful to savor, but can easily be enjoyed in a proper Mass stein with suitable fare. Glad to find this one.

dark, ruby around the lighter edges of the glass.bland, almost non-existent smell.taste is bitter, not much like the great german doppelbocks i am accustomed to. no sweetness whatsoever.medium feel, kind of half-a$$ed kind of an attempt.overall, i think i remember having another Sudwerk brew... and it was just kind of okay. this one only qualifies as a dopplebock .... in their brewery? it has none of the traditional characteristics except maybe a higher abv and it's dark(?)

This is a pretty decent doppel. That being said, it is not by any means outstanding. The beer pours a very average amber color, with a distinct note of barley. The beer has a hearty taste with its 8 percent alcohol, and the taste of sugar is abundant. The beer has minimal lacing and head and leaves a nice taste on the palette. Too bad Sudwerk discontinued their other beers, as their other beers were top notch.

Two finger off white head, some lacing. The beer is brown, with reddish tints, when held up to the light, you can see through it. Smells of malt sweetness and syrup. Tastes of the same, with a slight peppery quality. Mouthfeel is surprisingly light. Ok.

Pours a clear super dark reddish brown with a 1 inch puffy khaki head that settles to a thin cap. Foamy rings of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of bready dark malt, dark fruits, and some sugar and spice aromas. Taste is surprisingly sour with dark bread and tart dark fruits. Some spice flavors linger on the aftertaste and provide a slight bitterness. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with an acidic mouthfeel. Overall, this just isn't a very good beer. I would very much enjoy the flavors if there wasn't such a prevalent sourness. The mouthfeel isn't doing much to help either. Perhaps there is some sort of slight infection going on with this one.